Massage apparatus



Jan. 28, 1941. B, H11- L MASSAGE AFPRATUS Filed Aug. 18, 1959 2Sheets-Sheet l vll v Il N INVENTOR W@ dy@ 1m-z8,1941.v B.,H|LL 2,230,057

, MASSAGE APPARATUS Filed Aug. 18, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 17 lo .l I3 ifn INVR ya? mf/Wmv M Warentest Jan. 28, 1941 lJNl'iED STATES PATENT @ENCE9 Claims.

rUnis invention relates to massage apparatus. The object of theinvention is to provide massage apparatus which is o simple and sturdyconstruction, which massages more specifically those parts of the bodyin which massage is most beneficial, and which comprises a simple andcomplete adjustability to vary the vigor, the locus of application, andin large measure the sort, of the massage treatment which it gives.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. I is a plan View of a massage tablemade in accordance with my invention. Fig. 1l is a side elevationthereof. Fig, lli is a fragmentary plan View of the supporting structurefor the massage table and the actuating means therefor, taken in theplane oi the section line III-III of Fig. IV. Fig. IV is a fragmentaryvertical sectional View of the porn tion of the massage table shown inFig. Ill, taken in the plane of the section line IV-IV of Fig. Till.Fig. V is a cross-sectional view through. the massage table takenthrough the slots in which the spine massaging members are located, andshowing the adjustable mounting of those members.

In the illustrative embodiment of my invention, reference numeral Idesignates a supporting frame on which the massage table proper i. isreciprocably mounted by wheels 3 running in longitudinal tracks d. Theorganization of the apparatus is such that the massage table proper i isreciprocated longitudinally of the supporting frame l by itsreciprocating movement to give the desired treatment. The reciprocatingmovement of the table 2 is regulable in length and coincidentally inrapidity.

Table 2 is driven from an electrical motor E by speed-reducingconnection to a crank wheel E. This speed-reducing drive comprises twolarge diameter sheaves 'l and carrying small diameter pulleys 'la andila; a small diameter pulley 9 on the armature shaft of the motor, andbelts ifi, li and lil connecting the crank wheel E with the motor 5 byway of the large diameter sheaves and small diameter pulleys. Crankwheel ii has thereon means for regulating the length of stroke impartedto the table 2. Such means are shown as a crank bracket i3, havingtherein pintle holes lilin any of which there may be engaged the wristpin lb of a crank arm ifi pivotally connected at il to the table 2.

An important massage effect obtainable by use of my massage apparatus isthat of a back and spinal massage, which may be made effectivethroughout a greater or lesser length of the human spine. Means foreffecting this massage are shown as two roller disks It mounted on acrossshaft It which may be rotatable, or upon which the disks mayrotate. These disks extend through slots lill in the reciprocable table,and the slots Eil are of sufficient length to permit the maximum lengthof table stroke of which the adjustable (Cl. 12S-m57) crank connectionsare capable. They also are of sufficient width to permit some adjustmentof the disks it toward and away from each other.

Assuming that a person lies face-up on the table, with the spinal regiondisposed in line with the interval between the disks i6, reciprocatingmovement of the table carries the person massaged along the roller diskswith his or her spine lying between them. In accordance with the lengthof the persons back which it is desired to message in each movement ofthe table, adjustment of the table stroke may be made. That adjustmentneed be made only infrequently. It is useful frequently so to adjust theposition of the roller disks i3 that they project a greater or lesserdistance above the upper surface of the table. To this end the crossshaft l which carries the roller disks lil is made readily adjustable bymounting the end brackets, or bearings il! of the shaft on, or as partof, vertically extended .racks 2t, movable in guides 23. Pinions 2licarled by a cross shaft 2E act simultaneously on the two racks 2?! toraise or lower roller shaft i9. At one pinion shaft i5 carrie-s a handwheel 2t by which it may be rotated.

This vertical adjustment permits adaptation to the body region which ismassaged, as for comparison to the neck or lower back region oi theperso-n receiving massage. It also permits the massage in a selectedregion of the persons body to be more or less vigorous, as may bedesired, in each individual case; and permits the vigor of the massagetreatment to be increased or decreased as it proceeds.

The apparatus also comprises adjustable means for massaging the legs ofa subject, which means may be used, either alone, or in conjunction withback-massaging means, The leg massaging means of the apparatus is in theform of a pair of contoured rolls il mounted by a cross shaft 2i; at alevel above the surface of table 2. As shown, cross shaft 23 isvertically adjustable in the assembly, being carried on vertical bracketarms it, having therein a series of perforations lt is also adjustableby cooperation of the vertical bracket arms 2li with two horizontal sidebrackets provided with a series of perforations 30d. By inserting pins:il at each side of the table in a selectively matched pair ofperforations of a vertical bracket and @llc of a horizontal bracket, asingle operation may serve adjustably to position rollers El bothvertically and hori- Zontally with respect to the surface of table 2.

The utility of leg-massaging rolls 2l is apparent. If the legs of aperson resting on the table lie upon rolis movement of the table,carrying the legs of the person over these rolls, gives an effectivemassage treatment to the legs. By adjusting the rolls, and adjusting theposition of the person on the table, a massage may be given his legsfrom the ankles to the hips, and the adjustability is found particularlydesirable in massaging difficult regions, such as the inner part of theknee joints and the ankles. Assuming that both the back-massaging rollerdisks I8 and the leg-massaging rollers I9 are to be used simultaneously,longitudinal relative adjustment of these massaging agencies is ofparticular advantage inasmuch as it permits them to be spaced to operatesimultaneously upon selected body regions of persons taking the massage.It also permits both massage treatments to be performed simultaneously,on selected body regions of persons of very different height. Theadjustability of the massaging agencies both individually and relativelygives the apparatus ability by an eX- tremely simple structure toperform a wide range of massaging functions.

The leg-massaging rolls 2l have a further function co-operative with theback-massaging function of the roller disks I8. This is because, bysupporting the legs of a person taking massage at a selected height,they tend properly to position the back of that person with respect tothe back-massaging disks.

In the usual use of the apparatus, the subject lies relaxed upon thetable, or body-supporting platform, with his or her spine between, or inline with, the interval between the roller disks I 8. The position ofthe subject longitudinally of the table or platform is primarilydetermined 'lin accordance with the spinal region for which massage ischiefly desired. Since the mounting of the roller disks is rigid, theyare adjusted vertically to give an adequate pressure on both sides ofthe spine without undue discomfort to the subject. The length of strokeis adjusted', primarily to cause the body in reciprocation of the tableor platform to traverse the rollers in the spinal region which is to bemassaged, so that the massage may be adequately applied withoutincurring any danger from a stroke of such length as undesirably to actupon any spinal region. It is to be emphasized that the subject may be,and desirably is, wholly relaxed during the massage treatment.

Whereas the disks I8 and the contoured rolls 21 have been herein denedrespectively as backmassaging members and leg-massaging or legsupportingmembers, such description is definitive merely of their primary functionin massage. Both may be utilized in massaging other regions of the humanbody and the terms used are, therefore, to be taken as terms ofdescription and not `as terms of limitation. It is clear that otherchanges may be made in the form and arrangement of the elements of mymassage apparatus, as well as in the utilization of those elementswithout going beyond the scope of my invention as defined in theappended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In massage apparatus the combination of a horizontally reciprocablebody-supporting platform, a plurality of diversely formed sets ofbodycontacting members mounted in cooperative position with respect tothe said body-supporting platform and adjustable both toward and awayfrom each other in a longitudinal direction and vertically with respectto the said body-supporting platform, and power actuated driving meansand connections for reciprocating the body-supporting platform withrespect to the said bodycontacting members.

2. Massage apparatus in accordance with the definition of claim 1 havingin the driving connections for the said body-supporting platform anadjustable stroke connection, varably determining the length of movementof the said bodysupporting platform with respect to the saidbody-contacting members.

3. Massage apparatus in accordance with the denition of claim 1 in whichthe body-contacting members of one of the said diverse sets arecontoured. rolls and in the other of the diverse sets are roller disks.

4. In massage apparatus the combination of a horizontally reciprocablebody-supporting platform with a set of back-massaging rollers projectingthrough the said body-supporting platform, a leg support mounted inregulably spaced relation to the said set .of back-massaging rollers,and power actuated driving means and connections for reciprocating thesaid body-supporting platform with respect to the said back-massagingrollers.

5. In massage apparatus the combination of a horizontally reciprocablebody-supporting platform with a set of roller disks projecting throughthe said body-supporting platform in closely spaced relation, verticallyadjustable mounting means for the said set of roller disks, and poweractuated driving means and connections for reciprocating the saidbody-supporting platform with respect to the said set of roller discs.

6. In massage apparatus the combination of a horizontally reciprocablebody-supporting platform with a set of back-massaging rollers projectingthrough the said body-supporting platform, a leg support, an adjustablemounting for the said leg support giving vertical adjustment thereof andregulable spacing from the set of back-massaging rollers, and poweractuated driving means and connections for reciprocating the saidbody-supporting platform with respect to the said back-massagingrollers.

7. Massage apparatus in accordance with the definition of claim 6 havingin the driving connections for the said body-supporting platform anadjustable stroke connection, variably determining the length ofmovement of the said bodysupporting platform with respect to the saidback-massaging rollers.

8. Massage apparatus in accordance with the denition of claim 6 in whichthe back-massaging rollers are carried by mounting means which arevertically adjustable with respect to the said body-supporting platformadjustably to determine the projection of the said back-massagingmembers above the surface level of the said bodysupporting platform.

9. In massage apparatus the combination of a horizontally reciprocablebody-supporting platform with a set of back-massaging rollers projectingthrough said body-supporting platform in closely spaced relation,vertically adjustable mounting means for the said Set of back-massagingrollers, and power-actuated driving means and adjustable strokeconnections thereto for reciprocating the said body-supporting platformwith respect to the said back-massaging rollers and for varying thelength of the reciprocating movement of the said body-supportingplatform.

BENJAMIN HILL.

